Week 13 - Training Summary

This week, as you will see below, I have cut out all speed work. No more tempos or intervals. They take a lot out of me, emotionally and physically. So, in the spirit of remaining uninjured, I am just going to concentrate on logging the miles from this point forward. I slept really well this whole week and I am not sure why. My diet could use a little work, but I am happy that I have finally got my sleep schedule under control. It was a great week. Another marathon under my belt, meeting a running idol, a cut down in mileage...and now the TAPER begins. 

TOTAL MILES WEEK 12 : 62.44 miles

10/24 (Monday) - Gym - 5:45am

I started off the week in the gym. 30 minutes of the elliptical and 30 minutes on the bike. Even though I could have run for 30 minutes to warm up, I decided to give all those muscles a break. I just did regular core work and some squats. Yuck! I hate squats. I gotta do them though.

10/26 (Tuesday) 5:40am - Run

I am switching things up this week. I did an easy run today. I am still a little sore from the monster weekend and wanted to take it easy. I ran an easy 6 on the treadmill at the gym. 

10/27 (Wednesday) 5:32am - Run

This was the type of run I wanted to bottle up. I loved every minute of it. It was of course pitch black when I started out, but I was lit up like a Christmas Tree. I had my new Saucony Vizipro wind breaker on which has a light, I carried a head lamp and had a flasher on the back of me. I ran along the Mt. Vernon trail as is slowly got lighter. The Potomac was like glass. It was so quiet. When I got to the 5 mile point, around Lady Bird Johnson Park, I stopped a took in the view. The DC skyline is just breath-taking. The sun came up as I was finishing my last 2 miles. Just glorious! I ended up running 10.24 miles.

10/27 (Thursday) 5:46am - Run

Another easy run on the treadmill. 6 miles and some core work. Done!

10/28 (Friday) - 9:30am - Run

I was able to work remotely today, so that gave me some flexibility, allowing me to run a little later. I ran on the Mt. Vernon trail crossing over to run Hain's Point. It was chilly and I was testing my race day outfit on the windiest part of the course. My legs were cramping a little bit today and I am not sure why. I need to make sure I drink some nuun for electrolytes today. Working remotely also allowed me to go pick up my MCM bib and do some damage at the expo before the swarms of people arrive. 9 miles...done!

10/29 (Saturday) 9:31am - Run

I was looking forward to a nice, easy run on the C & O this morning but woke up to freezing rain. No thank you! Let's hope and start praying to the weather Gods for sunny skies and 50 degrees on 11/19. I went to the gym and ran 5 miles at an easy pace.
10/30 (Sunday) 8:00am - Marine Corps Marathon

There is something very special about this race. It makes me proud and thankful to live in this country. This year, much like last, I welled up with tears of gratitude/joy several times. You can't help but to get chills as the huge, massive, awesome military helicopters do a fly over the starting line; Young Marines thank ME? for running and my support?; Veterans who have lost arms and legs in combat run beside me, encouraging me to push through the pain; Running past all the monuments...glorious! I must admit, the tears were flowing several times and it made me open my heart and encourage others throughout the race. 

This was a training run for me and my goal was to pace myself to finish at 4 hours. Well, mistake #1 - I left my Garmin at home. (Doh!) How in the heck did I do that? I was planning on running with others, so I figured they would keep me in check. I never found the others. Ha. So, I proceeded to the Start, by myself, just reminding myself to take it easy. Run it slow. And that is what I did. Every time I felt myself speeding up, I heard George's voice telling me to slow it down. I haven't officially started working with CAR yet, but they have already adopted me and showed tremendous support leading up to the race. It really makes me more excited to start running with them. I didn't want George to think I don't follow directions either! I crossed the finish line at 3:53:50. So, yes, it may have been a pacing FAIL but I did take it easy. Another important milestone met during this race is that I didn't listen to music at all. I brought my iPod, but didn't turn it on. Being aware and in the moment the whole race made me enjoy it even more. The most important thing is that I finished strong, did not feel completely fatigued after or even now, tonight. I could have probably ran several more miles which is a good thing because I am going to have run double THAT on November 19. Yikes!

What a pretty medal

After I finished, I followed the herd to the Finisher's Village. I was walking to pick up my bag and walked passed the Nissan booth. Holy Moly! Guess who is there signing autographs?! RYAN HALL! Yep! The guy who came in first at the US Marathon Olympic Trials in 2008 and holds the US record for the fastest 1/2 Marathon at 59:43. This guy is about to do more great things in the running world, no doubt. His wife, Sara, just won Gold at the Pan Am games running the 3,000m. Both of them are an inspiration to me. I read his book recently, which I will do a post on, and have been carrying it around in my purse hoping that maybe I would run into them. Yes, creepy, I know. Ha. RUN WITH JOY is their mantra and I repeated it several times this race. I would really love to become more involved with their foundation as well, The Hall Steps Foundation. They are all about taking little steps and stringing those little steps together to create a purposeful life. 

You carry around my book? That's not creepy at all!

Me and Ryan Hall - We are BFFs now!

My signed copy